latta



(No Model.) l 3 -Sheets-'Shegtl 3.`

l E'. GL-LATTA.

t dBIcYcLE.. l .N-0. 294,64o. Patented Mair. 4,1884.I

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n. nena www. Na-mm D- C 'llhvrlrnn STATES PATENT UFFICI-3,.

EMMIT G.l LATTA, or FRIENDSHIP, NEW YORK, Assia-Non or ONE-HALF IO ADRIAN C. LATTA, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersv Patent No. 294,640, dated March 4, 188.4.

Applicationfiled April 17, rN383. (No model.)

'jo @ZZ whom, it may concern Be it known that I, EMMIT G.,LATTA, of Friendship, in the county of Allegany and, State of New York, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Bicycles, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in and which will permit the cranks and the shaft to which they are secured to be disengaged from the driving-wheel, so that the latter can rotate without rotating the cranks in going downhill. This part of my invention oonsists of the novel construction of. the drivinggear, which will be hereinafter fully'set forth.

The second part of my invention ,relates to the improvedv construction of the axle-bearings, whereby the bearing is easily adjusted for wear and rendered safe in case of breakage, and whereby it is secured to the fork or frame in such manner as to prevent binding in turning the machine by twisting the forks. This part of my invention consists of the improved construction of the bearings, which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed .out in the claims.

vIn the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the driving-gear applied to the axle of the driving-wheel. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the upper portion of the fork. Fig. 3 is a cross-section in line x a", Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-section in line 3'/ y, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section in line z z, Figs. 1 and 2.` Fig. 6 is a cross-section in line w w, Fig. 1. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sections in lines v x, y y, and z z, Fig. 6, respectively. Fig. l0 is a side elevation of the shifting sleeve. Fig. l1 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the bearings. ed sleeve of one of the bearings. Fig. 13 is ai detached view of one ofthe open frames. Fig. 14 is a detached view of one of the supports of the planet-wheels.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the thread- V Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the axle; A', the lcranks sel cured to the endsV thereof; A2, the forks; A3 A, the disks of the hub.

B represents a spur-wheel, which is secured centrally to the axle A by means of a key, b, or other suitable means.

B- represents vplanet-wheels, which are arranged on diametrically-opposite sides of the wheel B, and which meshA therewith.

\ B2 represents an internally-toothed gearwheel, which incloses the planet -Wheels B and meshes therewith, and which is secured to the hub-flanges A1* AIk by frames C C', so as to turn therewith.

. d represents a'sleeve, which surrounds the axle A, and is free to move on the same both lengthwise and concentrically. The .sleeve d is fitted loosely in the hub a of the disk A4,

vand slides in the same.

D is a disk which is formed on the outer en d .of the sleeved, and provided on its inner side,

near its periphery, with projecting pins or studs d', which engage in openings a in the disk A4,so that when the disk D rests against p tion of the fork A2 when the disk Dis moved outwardly sufficiently, and thereby lock the. disk against 'rotary movement. The disk D can thereforebe placed in either of three positions, in the iirst of which it will turn with the wheel, in the second of which it will be detached from the wheel and the latter can turn freely, and in the third it will be held against rotary movement upon the fork. The disk D is adjustedandheld .in either of these three positions by a lever, e, which is pivoted to the fork by a bolt, e', and which projects with its depending free end into a groove, d, formed in the periphery of the disk D, as clearly represented in Fig. 1. by a spring-rod, c2, which bears with itslower The lever e is actuated Ioo end upon the upper inclined surface of the lever e, and extends upwardly through the hollow fork, and is provided at its upper end with a catch or thumb-piece, E, whereby it can be secured in either of three positions by engaging said catch in notches e", formed in the sides of the vertical slot e", with which the outer side of the fork is provided. The bar c2 is constructed of springsteel or other elastic ma- 1o terial, and curved lengthwise, so as to bear against the outer side of the hollow fork with sufcientforce to lock the bar against accidental displacement and prevent it from rattling.

F represents two arms, which are arranged on diametrical1y-opposite sides of the axle A, and connected by a hub, F, which surrounds the inner end of the sleeve d.

f are screwbolts, which form arbors on 2o which the planet-wheels B turn. v rIhe bolts f are supported at one end in the arms F, and

at their opposite end in aplate or cross-head,

fi, which is arranged on the opposite sides of the wheels B and B, and surrounds the hub of the wheel B.

f are springs, which are secured with their outer ends to the arms F by screws f, as shown in Fig. 1, or by means of the screwboltsf, as may be preferred. The inner ends 3o of the springs f engage in depressions in the inner end of the` inner portion of the sleeved, and the springs are so constructed that they will tend to hold the sleeve d with its .inner end against the wheel B, and the disk D 3 5 against the disk A4, as represented in Fig. 1. The hub F is provided with openings ft, through which the springs f pass. The inner end of the sleeve d is provided with cogs or teeth g, and the hub F is provided with cogs 4o or teeth g, meshing with the teeth g, so that a rotary movement can be transmitted from the hub F to the sleeve d, and vice versa, while the sleeve d can at the same time move lengthwise in the hub F.

The spider or frame C is secured to the hub aby a screw-thread and a lockingscrew, c, and-to the gear-wheel B2 by screws c. rlhe spider or open frame C on the opposite side of the gear-wheel B2 is secured to the latter 5o by screws c?, and its hub c turns loosely upon the hub a2 of the disk A3. The end of the hub di and the adjacent rear side of the disk A3 are provided with ratchet-teeth et, which interlock with each other and securely hold the disk A3 in contact with the hub c3 by the pressure or tension of the spokes. The latter can be tightened by turning the disk A3 in the proper direction, the ratchets permitting the forward movement of the disk and locking it 6o against backward movement.

XVhen the parts are in the position represented in Fig. 1, the planet-wheels B and their supporting-arms F are connected with the driving-wheel by the sleeve d and disk D,

whereby the planet-wheels and their supporting parts are compelled to turn with the wheel, and the whole mechanism therefore is caused to operate like an ordinary crank mechanism. Upon depressing the bar e2 sufficiently to disengage the disk D from the hub A4 of the driving-wheel, the latter is disengaged from the driving mechanism and permitted to turn freely, so that the cranks can hang stationary while the driving-wheel revolves, thereby enabling the rider to keep his feet on the pedals without turning the saine in going downhill. Upon moving the disk D out far enough to lock it against the fork, the disk D, the arms F, and the arbors of the planet-wheels B are held stationary, whereby the motion of the gear-wheel B is transmitted to the gear-whee1 BfI in a reverse direction and with less speed and a corresponding increase of power, so that in this position of the parts the cranks are rotated backwardly, in order to drive the wheel forwardly, and the power applied to the cranks is transmitted with an increase, thereby adapting this adjustment to be used in running uphill and on bad roads or against a head-wind.

If it is desired to construct the driving-gear so that the wheel can be rotated with an increase of speed, instead of an increase of power, this is readily accomplished by securing the supporting-arms F and hub F to the axle and connecting the gear-wheel B with the inner end of the sleeve d in the same manner in which the hub F is connected with said sleeve, as represented in Fig. l.

The frames C and C may be secured to the wheel B2 by corresponding notches and projections formed in the adjacent portions of these parts and held in contact with each other by the tension ofthe spokes. rlhese frames answer the double purpose of spreading the hub-anges and transmitting power from the axle to the wheel. rIhe open spaces between the arms of these frames permit the gearing to be oiled and the parts thereof to be removed, when required, without separating the two disks of the hub of the wheel.

Instead of spiders or frames C C, straight bars extending from one hub-disk tothe other may be employed, if preferred; but they would not be as compact and neat in appearance as those shown and described. The frames C 1 r 5 and C and the gear arranged between the same are covered by a dust-cap, H, which incloses these parts, and which is constructed of two parts secured together on one side by a hinge, 71, and on the opposite side by aspringcatch, h', as represented in Fig. 4,' so that upon releasing the spring-catch h the dust-cap can be removed.

I I represent the box portions of the bearings, in which the aXleA turns. The portion I is provided with an upwardly-extending tapering shank, z', which is inserted in a correspondingly-shaped socket secured to the frame in the lower end of the fork. This socket is formed in a lining, i', secured in the lower portion of the tubular fork, preferably by brazing. The shank i is secured in the fork by the bolt c', on which the lever e swings, and the notch or depression on the inner side ofthe IOC) IIO

VIO

shank i, through which the bolt e passes, is

curved horizontally or made convex toward the bolt, so that the shank'i,'although being held against longitudinal movement by the bolt c', can turn in thesocket-when the forks are twisted in turning the wheel, thereby preventing binding of the bearings. The shank i3 of the bearing I is secured to the fork by a horizontal bolt, z2, which passes through a depression of the same form in said shank.

J represents a cylindrical sleeve, which is fitted around the axle within the' bearing I', and J J2 represent, respectively, the outer and inner cone-bearings, between which balls j are arranged. The box I is provided on its inner surface with a suitable groove, in which these balls move. The sleeve J is provided with an external thread, -and the cone-bearings J J2 are provided with internal screwth reads, which engage with the external thread on the sleeve J, so that by turning these parts4 the cone-bearings can be adjusted toward or from each other, as may be required for properly tightening the balls. The outer end of vthe sleeve J is provided with a collar, j', which projects into anannular recess on the inner side of the crank, and the inner end of the sleeve J is provided with a collar, 72, which projects into an annular recess in the outer -side of the hub-disk A3,' whereby dust is ex` eluded from the bearing-surfaces. The inner end of the inner cone-bearing, J2, is provided with a flaring flange, to which is secured a spring, k, which engages with its free end in an opening, lt, formed in the disk A3. The eontact'of-the spring with the depression in the disk A2 is sufficient to cause the conebearing J2, the sleeve J, and the cone-bearing J, with which it is connected, to turn with the disk A3, whereby the friction is thrown upon the balls and the surfaces which are in contact with the same. If aball should break or the ball-bearing become inoperative from any other cause, the increased friction between the balls and the adjacent surfaces will cause the sleeve J and the cone-bearings J J2 to cease their rotary movement, and .cause the end of the spring 7c to be drawn out of the depression in the disk A3, and the axle Awill rotate in the sleeve J as a bearing. It is ob- Y vious, therefore, that this improved bearing combines in its structure a parallel or cylindrical bearing with the ball-bearing, the parallel bearing being called into action when the ball-bearing becomes inoperative, thereby rendering -the machine safe and preventing a fall, even if the ball-bearing should break or otherwise get out of order. The cone-bearings are adjusted by holding the inner cone, J2, from turning and turning the sleeve Jin one or the other direction, which causes the cones to approachy each other or separate, as may be desired. After the cones have been adjusted, they are held in position by a setscrew, k2, which passes Vthrough the cone J and impinges against the inner end of the sleeve J, whereby these parts are prevented from rotating with reference to each other. The inner end of the sleeve J is preferably grooved lengthwise to prevent the set-screw k2 from slipping on the same. The set-screw k2 may also be employed for securing the spring k to the cone J2.

The bearing I is provided with a cylindrical sleeve, L, which is iitted around the axle within the bearing I, and provided at its inner end with acone-bearing, Z'. L isthe opposite conebearing, which is attached to the sleeve L by a screw-thread, as clearly shown inFig. l.

Z represents the balls, which 'are arranged between the cone-bearings Zand L. v

Z2 is a jam-nut, which is applied to the outer end of the sleeve'L, for securing the cone-bearing L in position after it hasbeen adjusted. The outer end of the sleeve L projects into an annulardepression on the inner side Aof the crank, and the inner end of the sleeve L rests against a collar, m, which is formed on the axle A. The sleeve L overlaps with its inner end the collar m, and is secured-thereto by a screw, m', which isfscrewed into the sleeve L,

and projects with its inner reduced end into a cavity in the collar m, as shown in Fig. 12.

The screw m secures the sleeve L and cone L to the shaft A,and compels these parts to turn together so long as the ball-bearing remains in its operative condition. If the ball-bearing should get out of order by reason of a broken ball or otherwise, the screw m breaks, thereby releasing the sleeve L and permitting the axle to turn on said sleeve, as in an ordinary cylindrical bearing, so that in this case, also, the ball-bearing is supplemented by a cylindrical bearing, which vis called into action when the ball-bearing ceases to be operative.

IOO

The construction last described-in which a ,Q cone is formed on thesleeve which surrounds the axle-*is the cheapest of the two constructions shown; but the construction in which both cones -are separate from the sleeve is IIO more desirable, because in that case the sleeve is not required to be hardened, and is therefore less liable to break.

N represents an oil-cup, which is arranged on eachof the bearings, for receiving the drippings, and which is held in position by catches n, which enter oil-holes a in the box. The inner edges of theoil-cup N enter recesses or grooves a2, which are formed in the outer sides ofthe cone-bearings, and wherebya sufficient close lit of the oil-vessels with the bearings is obtained to exclude dust and dirt therefrom.

W'hen parallel bearings alone are used, the

outer edge of the oil-cup is turned outwardly l. In an internally-geared driving-wheel, the combination ot' a sliding shifting-sleeve adapted to beheld rigidly against rotary move` ment by being engaged with the fork or trame, and to be detached from the fork or frame at desire for changing the motion of'the wheel, and a spring whereby the sleeve is held away from the fork or frame, substantially as set forth.

2. rlhe combination, with the axle A, of a gear-wheel, B, a planet-wheel, B', attached to a supporting frame or arm, and a gear-wheel, B, secured to the driving-wheel ot' a sliding sleeve, whereby the planet-wheel support can be released or held rigidly at will, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the axle, of the gear-wheel B, a planet-wheel, B, a gear-wheel, B2, secured to the wheel, an arm, F, supporting the planet-wheel, and provided with teeth y, and asliding sleeve, d, provided with teeth g, substantially as set forth.

4f. The combination, with the axle, gearwheel B, planet-wheelB, and a driving-x'vheel provided with a gear-wheel, B2, of an arm, F, supporting the planet-wheel, a spring, j, and a sliding sleeve, d, substantially as set forth.

rIhe combination, with the axle, of the gear-wheel B, planetwheel B', gear-wheel B, secured to the driving-wheel, arm I, provided with hub F and springf` and a sliding sleeve, d, provided with disk D, having dcvices for connecting it with the hub or fork at desire, substantially as set forth.

G. The combination, with the axle and driving-gear mounted thereon, ot' hub-disks A A, arranged on opposite sides ofthe driving-gear, and the skeleton frame C C, whereby said huhdisks are connected, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the axle, variable driving-gear, and fork or frame, of a sliding shifting sleeve, d, having a grooved disk, I),

a lever, c, pivoted to the frame and engaging in the groove of the disk, and a shifting rod, 02, bearing upon the lever c, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination, with a hollow fork, of abent shifting rod arranged in the same, substantially as set forth.

9. In a bearing, the combination of a ballbearing and an auxiliary parallel bearing, which is called into action when the ball becomes inoperative, substantially as set forth.

10..In a bearing, the combination of a ballbearing and an auxiliary parallel bearing attached to the axle or other rotating part by a connection which is broken or released when the ball-bearing becomes inoperative, substantially as set forth.

1l. rIhe combination, with the bearing-box I and axle A, of the sleeve L, provided with a conical face, l, a cone-bearing, L', surrounding the sleeve L, and balls interposed between the cones Z L and the box I, substantially as set forth.

l2. The combination, with the bearing-box I and axle A, provided with collar m, of the sleeve L, having a conical face, Z, a fasteningscrew, m', a cone-bearing, L, and balls Z', substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, with a fork provided with-a socket at its lower end, of a bearingbox provided with a shank seated in said socket and capable of turning therein, substantially as set forth.

1I. The combination, with the bearing-box I, provided with shank v), of the fork A2, provided with the vlining t, forming a socket, in which the shank is seated, substantially as set forth.

EMMIT G. LATTA.

Witnesses:

F. B. CHURCH, S.. E. LxTTA. 

